Windermere Foundation Blog

It’s springtime, which means spring cleaning for many households. It’s also a time to declutter and purge all those worn out, unwanted, outdated, unused and unneeded items from our closets, garages and other storage spaces.

This past year, the Windermere Foundation had a milestone anniversary, celebrating 25 years of supporting programs and organizations that provide shelter, clothing, children’s programs, emergency assistance, and other services to low-income and homeless families. What started in 1989 as a grassroots foundation serving families in need in Washington State, has grown to encompass ten states and raised over $28 million—bringing us closer to reaching our fundraising goal of $30 million by the end of 2015.

Since 1989, a portion of the proceeds from every home purchased or sold through Windermere Real Estate is donated to the Windermere Foundation. The Foundation uses these donations to provide funding to programs that support low-income and homeless families in our communities. One event that we have supported over the past few years is the annual Husky Hoops half-time free-throw fundraiser at the University of Washington vs. Washington State men’s basketball game.

When people come together and rally for a good cause, they can accomplish great things. And it’s that spirit of giving and compassion that makes the holidays such a special time of the year. It’s also a favorite time of year for many of our Windermere offices with “all hands on deck” as owners, agents, and staff shop for, wrap, and deliver gifts to those who otherwise would not have such a happy holiday. Here’s just a sampling of our offices helping to make the season bright for those in their communities.

A few weeks ago the Windermere Foundation was approached with a remarkable opportunity to support the #NoChildSleepsOutside campaign, which is trying to raise $250,000 by December 23 to open a crisis-response winter night shelter for homeless families in Seattle. The Windermere Foundation was able to contribute $35,000 towards this campaign, started by Dick's Drive-in Restaurant, and benefiting Mary's Place in Seattle. Please read more about this issue that is facing all of our communities, and contact us at the WindermereFoundation for ways to help in your neighborhood.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, many of us will reflect upon this past year and remind ourselves of what we are thankful for in our lives. It’s also a time when many of us get together and work towards helping those that have not been so fortunate. This season, our Windermere Real Estate offices and agents have been hard at work collecting food, clothing and other necessities to help out our neighbors in need. These are just a few of the activities taking place throughout our Windermere network…With Thanksgiving just around the corner, many of us will reflect upon this past year and remind ourselves of what we are thankful for in our lives. It’s also a time when many of us get together and work towards helping those that have not been so fortunate. This season, our Windermere Real Estate offices and agents have been hard at work collecting food, clothing and other necessities to help out our neighbors in need. These are just a few of the activities taking place throughout our Windermere network…

Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, the Windermere Foundation was able to provide over one million dollars in support during the first three quarters of this year to social service organizations that helped hundreds of families meet basic needs.

Earlier this year, Windermere Real Estate hosted the “Windermere Foundation Charity Challenge” to celebrate the Foundation’s 25th anniversary. Twenty-one non-profit organizations throughout the Western United States were nominated by Windermere offices to compete via Facebook for $25,000. The five non-profits that received the most votes were Hand in Hand, Friends of the Children of Portland, Family Promise of Spokane, Boys and Girls Club of El Sobrante, and Yavapai CASA for Kids, Inc. Each organization received $25,000, for a total donation of $125,000 from the Windermere Foundation. Here’s what they’ve been up to since receiving their winnings.

While many kids enjoy the final days of summer, their families are getting ready for the upcoming school year. Sadly, the thought of going back to school can be a stressful time for some kids, because they don’t have something that most of us take for granted—a pair of shoes.

Thanks to your donations, the Windermere Foundation has been able to disburse nearly $840,000 to non-profit organizations throughout our network, during the first half of 2014. This included 269 grants, with an average grant size of $3,121—grants that support programs like weekend meals for school kids.